THDK Chapter 20

Being left out is sad, Part 2

After finishing our meal, the long-awaited cake was brought in. Today was Beatrice’s favorite cheesecake. As I savored it, Zain and Alan arrived in the room.

“Isn’t it past time for the meeting?”

“Has it already been that long?”

“You’re probably the one who’s been troubling the demon king.”

Alan glared at me, and I looked down, furrowing my brow. Nox received some documents from Zain and scanned through them, furrowing their brow. I noticed the change in their expression, but I didn’t ask what was wrong. I wasn’t involved in their affairs. That was an unspoken understanding we had.

“Send someone to the forest. They’ve been acting strangely for ten years, and it seems humans are finally making a move.”

“I’ll dispatch someone from the knights.”

“I’ll go with them. Sol, your training will be suspended for a while.”

“Yeah, got it.”

Lately, everyone seemed busy, so I couldn’t complain. I knew that strange occurrences had been happening in the forest, which marked the boundary between human and demon territories, for several years. I had offered to help with the investigation, but I was told to stay out of it.

Everyone rushed off to the forest, and Beatrice left the room, saying she had work to do. I was left alone, feeling a bit down. Oreole snorted in response to my sigh.

“What’s wrong?”

“Humans and demons have always been at odds.”

“How long have you been watching the world, Oreole?”

“I’ve been watching since the time of the first hero. That’s why I can even uncover the lies written in history books.”

Lies? There were lies in the history we knew? I didn’t know much about demon history. No one would tell me.

“Come to think of it, we had a fight with Nox a long time ago about the Simurgh.”

“I don’t remember that.”

I realized that Oreole had changed the subject. No one would tell me anything. When I was younger, that was okay. But now, I hated not knowing anything.

“Oreole, tell me what you know.”

I asked, taking a chance. Maybe my younger self wouldn’t have asked.

“It’s not time yet.”

“Oreole…”

“People lie for various reasons. Some lies are told to gain something, while others are told to protect oneself. Sometimes, people hide the truth to protect something precious, no matter the consequences. Remember that.”

Oreole’s words were cryptic. It was as if they could see right through everything.

“The feud between humans and demons runs deep. What do you want from me, Sol?”

Oreole asked me the same question when we first met. Back then, I said I didn’t want anything. But now, my answer was different.

“I want to protect what’s precious. I want to stand alongside everyone and bring peace to the world. I don’t know what’s happening in the forest or what humans are planning, but I want to put an end to the longstanding feud between humans and demons.”

“If that’s my master’s wish, I’ll lend a hand.”

“Thanks, Oreole. You’re the best friend ever.”

I’ll ask Nox again what’s going on when they get back. Maybe there’s something they can’t tell me. But I don’t want to be treated like a child forever. And since I consider everyone family, this situation where I’m being left out feels a bit lonely.